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Now that the New Year is well under way, I'm more convinced that
there is no better time than now to start a new business.

For instance, if we look at business cycles as seasons, we can
see that we are emerging from a deep "economic winter" and are
headed into an "economic spring." Almost every market and
industry has been cleared of the inefficient or overleveraged
businesses, opening up new opportunities that didn't exist just a
few years ago. As a result, both human capital and business tools
are abundant and inexpensive.

Here are four ways you can leverage the current trends in the
marketplace to help ensure a strong launch and thriving future
for your startup.

1. Tap the international marketplace. As the
U.S. has struggled, countries such as Brazil, Russia, India and
China, as well as others in the Asian Pacific region, have been
enjoying a long "economic spring" and "economic summer." Wouldn't
it be great to tap into those booming markets? You can, and the
Internet is your doorway.

But you have to plan and prepare for it. From taking orders, to
managing different currencies to drop-ship deliveries, you'll
need to make sure that you have the capability to handle
international business. Begin examining web hosting options that
will enable your site to process international transactions.

You also want to be sure to have enough cash and flexibility to
handle any technical issues that will inevitably arise from
having an e-commerce website.

2. Accept the new era of "creative credit." In
recent years, the stagnant credit market has become one of
biggest obstacles for small businesses, especially startups. The
lack of available financing has forced entrepreneurs to become
more creative in the ways in which they acquire startup money.
This has included negotiating
better terms with vendors, learning to fast-track cashflow
and looking for ways to take advantage of the various types of purchase
order or vendor financing.

Business owners this year will have to get used to this
atmosphere of creative financing and be assertive in finding
mutually beneficial ways to work with both suppliers and
customers. Pre-paid contracts and flexible terms have a place in
your credit and cash-flow arsenal depending on your company, your
category and the relationships you may (or may not have) with
your suppliers and customers.

3. Consider social media as an interactive
database. Small businesses should have a presence on
Facebook and Twitter, and if you are in any business-to-business
category, LinkedIn as well. If you're still resistant, I suggest
viewing your social media channels as interactive databases. You
can use them to build an identity and persona around your
company, your products and even your clients.

The more you can offer and build value, be it in terms of
information, insight into your process or products, or even why
and how you are owning and running your business, the faster (and
more organically) your networks will grow. The people in these
networks make up the contacts in your databases.

4. Adapt, don't just adopt. Instead of jumping
on each new trend you hear about, evaluate how your business
model can benefit from it in a low-cost way. For instance, the
Baby Boomer generation is retiring in greater numbers. What can
this mean for, say, your travel business? Depending on your type
of business, perhaps you could offer retirement-themed travel
packages for new retirees, or adventure-oriented packages for
more active Boomers.

Likewise, Gen-Y is emerging as a buying, spending and cultural
force all its own. If you have a unique twist on a conventional
eatery or restaurant, maybe your strategy for attracting Gen-Yers
includes coupons for after-hours specials delivered via mobile
devices.

The key is to use your current business model to tap into trends
rather than reorient your entire model. When you do that, your
business will be able to ride the waves of change to become a
more profitable startup this year.